FORT BRAGG, N.C. - As a 19-year Army veteran, 1st Sgt. Joe Bayne, of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 16th Military Police Brigade, has long learned that a whole Family wellness plan is very beneficial.
Bayne and other 16th MP Bde. servicemembers, including the 108th Military Police Company, took part in the XVIII Airborne Corps Task Force Bragg wellness challenge, which ran June 22 to Aug. 10.
The goal of the challenge is to encourage servicemembers to achieve optimal wellness and advance resilience in Soldiers and Family members.
"One of the biggest motivators was my wife " she's real big into health and fitness," Bayne said.
Soldiers and Family members participated in Family Fun 5Ks and the American Red Cross 10K, with the overall goal of getting better physically, he said.
Incorporating Family time into the wellness challenge also seemed important to Spc. Glenda Bellamy, of HHC, who spent time with her 14-year-old son, Devonte, in activities such as playing basketball and walking.
"It's a way to show your kids that it's okay to go outside and walk and sweat," she said. "It takes them away from games and computers," said Bellamy, who took second place in the challenge.
According to Johnson, 111 people participated in the wellness challenge. Some of the goals they identified at the start of the challenge included increasing physical fitness, improving diet, reducing or quitting tobacco use and paying more attention to brushing and flossing teeth.
During the eight-week challenge, Soldiers receive instruction from experts with Nutrition Services and Dental Activity, Womack Army Medical Center and the Fort Bragg Sports Office, Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation, said Johnson.
As a leader in the 108th MP Co., 1st Sgt. Scott Painter said he was very interested in participating in the challenge.
It's easier to lead when you know personally what a Soldier is going through, Painter said. Having first-hand knowledge of wellness material also makes it easier to get more Soldiers involved in the program, he said.
"It's (wellness challenge) to better their lives and I encourage everyone to do it," he said.
Staff Sgt. David Clause, HHC, 16th MP Bde., took first place in the challenge. A 23-year Army veteran, Clause competed against men and women much younger than he and won. Typical activities included running, weight lifting, abdominal workouts and elliptical training, he said.
"I was sort of surprised when I found out I was in the lead," said Clouse, 40. "It just shows them that it doesn't matter how old you are, you can still do anything you put your mind to," he said.
Clouse, who plans to transition to Fort Polk, La., in September, said that focusing on fitness, nutrition, hygiene and improving resilience is a lesson that every Soldier can learn, no matter where he or she is stationed.
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